Apparatus for changing printing assembly



Feb. 1, 1966 P. ZERNOV ETAL 3,232,227

APPARATUS FOR CHANGING PRINTING ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.6

INVENTORS PETER ZERNOV RALPH A. MAAS M/Mv @Zmmf ATTYS Feb. 1, 1966 P. ZERNOV ETAL APPARATUS FOR CHANGING PRINTING ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1962 1, 1966 P. ZERNOV ETAL APPARATUS FOR CHANGING PRINTING ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 19. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS PETER ZERNOV RALPH A. MAAS BY 3,4, M hwzwr ATTYS United States Patent Ofilice 3,232,227 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 3,232,227 APPARATUS FOR CHANGING PRINTING ASSEMBLY Peter Zernov, Wauwatosa, and Ralph A. Maas, Milwaukee, Wis, assignors to Michle-Goss-Dexter, Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Deiaware Filed Oct. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 231,799 2 Claims. (U1. 101-157) The invention relates to web-fed gravure printing presses and has reference in particular to improved means for rapidly changing the plate cylinders and the entire associated inking mechanism of said presses to thus materially reduce the inoperative time of the press when a different printing job and changes in the inks are being made.

The invention has special application to web-fed rotogravure presses having multiple units for coior printing and a major objective is to provide means for changing the plate cylinders and associated inking mechanism of such presses and which will require only a few minutes to release and remove the operating cylinders and replace them with other cylinders including all associated mechanism such as the inking applicator, the ink reservoir and the doctor blade structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will permit the changing of the plate cylinders in printing presses as described and which will include inwardly projecting shoulders formed as part of the side members of the press frame for releasably supporting journal housings for the plate cylinders the said journal housings having slide blocks adapted to be received in guideways provided by the inwardly projecting shoulders.

Another and more specific object resides in the provision of a movable cart for supporting a plate cylinder and also the journal housings for the cylinder and which can be readily transferred to and from a position adjacent the inwardly projecting shoulders of the press frame which are provided with means for receiving the same, the cart remaining in position during operation of the press so as to be available at all times for a cylinder replacement and said cart also supporting all associated plate cylinder mechanism such as the inking applicator, the ink pan and the ink reservoir,

Another object is to provide inwardly projecting shoulders as part of the side frame members of a printing press and which are constructed and arranged to releasably receive and support in 21 depending position the journal housings for the plate cylinder, the said shoulders being equipped with eccentric means for locking the journal housings in place and with additional means on one of the shoulders for displacing the journal housing and therewith the plate cylinder angularly relative to the path of the web for obtaining proper registration of the cylinder during printing.

Another object is to provide plate cylinder changing apparatus which will include journal housings for the plate cylinder adapted to be releasably attached to the press frame side members, and wherein driving means can be releasably secured to the plate cylinder when the housings are so attached in addition to means for manually adjusting the plate cylinder in an axial direction for registration purposes.

Another object is to provide plate cylinder changing apparatus which will include a wheeled cart for supporting the plate cylinder before the cylinder is attached and locked to the press frame, the cart having elevating means for raising and lowering the plate cylinder journal housings supported thereby so that the journal housing can be accurately aligned with the guideways of the inwardly projecting shoulders provided for receiving the slide plates of the journal housings.

With these and various other objects in view the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts FIGURE 1 is aside elevational view of a web-fed gravure printing press having multiple units for color printing and which is constructed so as to incorporate the plate cylinder changing apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view taken transversely of the press substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1 and showing certain parts of the cylinder changing apparatus in section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 and showing the cylinder changing apparatus of the invention with parts in section;

FIGURE 4 is a detail sectional view taken transversely of the plate cylinder and ink receiving pan and showing the doctor blade structure and ink applicator;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 66 of FIGURE 3 and showing in detail the lockiug eccentric for locking a cylinder journal housing within the guideway provided for receiving the same.

For disclosing and explaining the invention a web-fed multiple unit rotogravure press 10 has been selected and which as shown in FIGURE 1 essentially consists of side frames having spaced relation for journalling a plurality of guide rollers and cylinders for directing theweb and for printing on said Web. The side frames are indicated by numerals 11, 12 and 13 and the same are disposed on each side of the press with frames 11 journalling rollers 14 for feeding and controlling the web, whereas frames 12 journal rollers 15 and 16 which direct the web over guide rollers 17 to an impression cyl nder 18 journalled by the frames 13. The web passes under and around the impression cylinder of each unit and then travels upwardly to pass over rollers 15 and 15 which direct the web to the impression cylinder of the next unit. Each impression cylinder 1% has a plate cylinder 20 in operative associated relation therewith to form a printing couple for printing on the web. The invention is concerned with apparatus for supporting and releasably mounting the printing assemblies of each unit within the press frame and which includes means whereby the entire printing assembly comprising the plate cylinder, doctor blade structure, the ink applicator and ink reservoir can be quickly removed and replaced by another printing assembly when each different printing job is completed.

Such a change of the plate cylinders and associated mechanism requires only a few minutes and thus the inoperative time of the press is materially reduced. During the subsequent operation of the press the removed printing assemblies can be cleaned and prepared for the next printing job.

The essential elements of the present apparatus include inwardly projecting shoulders 22 and 23, FIGURE 2, which are preferably formed integral With the side frames 13 of each unit, and a portable printing assembly which includes a cart generally indicated by numeral 24 by means of which the entire printing assembly can be readily moved to and from a position immediately adjacent the inwardly projecting shoulders of a printing unit.

The cart 24 is formed of tubular frame members including the vertical members 25, 26 at the left hand end FIGURE 2, and 27, 28 at the right hand end. These vertical members are joined by horizontal members 30 and 31, top and bottom, and below the bottom member 31 the ing relation to the members 30. The hook rods 36 act to limit movement of the L-shaped members in a releasing and in a connecting direction. The bottom horizontal members 31 support the ink reservoir 37 and a telescoping tube 38 extends between the ink pan and the reservoir for draining the ink from the pan to the reservoir while the press is in operation.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the vertical members and 27 of the cart journal the shaft 40 which is provided with the worm gears 41 and 42 at its respective ends and with the hand crank 43. The vertical members 27 and 28, FIGURE 3, journal the shaft 44 on which is mounted the gear wheel 45 having meshing relation with the worm gear 42. The shaft 44 also provides the eccentrics 46 and 47 which have contact with the elevating rods 50 and 51, respectively. The rods are mounted for sliding movement by the brackets 52 and the two elevating rods are connected at their top projecting ends by the supporting plate 53. The vertical members 25 and 26 at the opposite end of the cart journal a shaft 54 similar to shaft 44 and a gear wheel 56 on said shaft has meshing relation with the worm gear 41. The shaft 54 also provides two eccentrics 57 and 58 which have contact with the elevating rods 60 and 61, respectively. The brackets 62 mount the rods for sliding movement and the two rods at their top projecting ends are connected by the supporting plate 63.

The supporting plates 53 and 63 are accordingly adjustable in a vertical direction the extent of which is controlled by the eccentrics on the operating shafts 44 and 54. A cart 24 is adapted to be positioned under a pair of inwardly projecting shoulders 22 and 23 at each of the units and the supporting plates are employed for supporting the plate cylinder and its journal housings in a manner and for purposes which will now be described.

Each plate cylinder 20 is journalled at its respective ends by the journal housings 65 and 66, each housing being mounted on its respective supporting plate in a predetermined position wherein it is maintained by the dowel pins 67. The latter are mounted in the supporting plates and are adapted to project into corresponding recesses formed in the bottom surface of the housings. The journals 68 and 70 of the plate cylinder 20 are mounted in the housings 65 and 66, respectively, and roller bearings 71 are provided to reduce friction losses. Each of the journal housings has a side plate integral therewith such as plate 72 for housing 65 and plate 73 for housing 66. For receiving the slide plates each of the shoulders 22 and 23 are provided with a guideway of complementary shape, the guideway on each shoulder being formed in part by the side frame and by an underplate 74 and by a side plate 75 each of which is fastened to the frame member by one or more screws. With the journal housings 65 and 66 supported on the plates 53 and 63, respectively, the cart is then moved to the unit which is to receive the plate cylinder and the eccentrics are rotated by actuation of shafts 44 and 54 to thereby elevate the supporting plates 53 and 63 until the slide plates 72 and 73 are aligned horizontally with their respective guideways. The cart is then moved under the inwardly projecting shoulders 22 and 23, to thereby insert the slide plates into their respective guideways. The eccentrics are then actuated to lower the supporting plates and therewith the journal housings to such extent that the housing and thus the plate cylinder are suspended from the guideways in the respective projecting shoulders and clearance is provided between the supporting plates and the housings so that the supporting plates will not interfere with the respective housings in the side frame members or prevent the housings from being locked securely in the guideways. However, the supporting plates are maintained at an elevation such that the dowel pins remain engaged in the recesses in the housings and which engagement functions to maintain the cart in position while the press is in operation.

For locking the slide plates as mentioned, the latter are each provided with a transverse groove 76 at approximately the center thereof and which is adapted to have coaction with a locking eccentric 78 as will be presently described. Since the locking mechanism is the same for each slide plate, the mechanism associated with shoulder 23 will be described with reference to FIGURE 3.

The locking eccentric 78 is located in a recess formed in the shoulder 23 and in a manner that it projects downwardly into the guideway. The eccentric is fixed to a shaft 80 journalled in the shoulder transversely thereof by a bearing 81 at the left end, as seen in FIGURE 3, and by a sleeve 82 at the right end. The end of shaft 80 projecting beyond the bearing 81 is provided with a pinion 83 and said pinion has meshing relation with a worm gear 84 which is fixed to a shaft having a squared-end 85 and journalled by the plate 86. When it is desired to lock the slide plate in position the operator rotates the squared-end shaft to rotate the worm gear 84 and also the pinion 83, and thus the shaft 80 to which the locking eccentric 78 is secured. The turning motion of the shaft rotates the eccentric 78 to a position wherein it projects into the groove 76 in the slide plate thereby locking the plate and journal housing against lateral displaceplacement. The eccentric also functions to press the slide plate firmly against the supporting surfaces of the guideway to thereby preclude vibration of the assembly when the press is in operation. The locking structure at the opposite side of the press is similar in structure and mode of operation for locking the slide plate 72 and the journalling housing 65 to the press frame.

With reference to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the slide plate 73 is reduced in size on the end to the right of the groove 76 to provide clearance for the slide plate to pass under the locking eccentric 78 as the slide plate is inserted into the guideway. The locking eccentric 78, when in its non-locking position, is raised sutficiently to permit passage of the reduced portion of the slide plate but it projects into the guideway to an extent such that it will engage the leading edge or shoulder formed along the rear edge of the groove 76. Accordingly, the shoulder functions as a stop to limit the insertion of the slide plate in a position wherein the groove 76 is accurately aligned with the locking eccentric 78.

As shown in FIGURE 6 each eccentric 78 is provided with a groove in its periphery for receiving the end of the set screw 79 which serves as a stop to locate the eccentric in its locking and non-locking positions.

In order that the plate cylinder 20 may be adjusted angularly relative to its coacting impression cylinder to thereby compensate for a skewed plate or image thereon, the slide plate 73 is arranged to be adjustable longitudinally in its guideway on the side frame. To accomplish such adjustment, the sleeve 82, in which one end of the shaft 80 is rotatably mounted, is threaded at 87 for axial adjustment in the shoulder 23. The projecting end of the sleeve is provided with a pinion 88 which meshes with a worm gear 90 on a shaft having a squared end 91 and the sleeve is confined on the shaft 80 between the eccentric 78 and a thrust washer 92 that is held in position on the shaft by a nut 93.

Accordingly, when the worm gear is rotated by applying a tool to the squared end shaft 91, the sleeve will be rotated about its axis and because of its threaded relation with the shoulder 23, it will move axially therein. Since the sleeve 82 is confined on the shaft 80, corresponding motion is imparted to said shaft and thereby to the eccentric 78 which causes the slide plate 73 and thus the plate cylinder 20 to shift angularly relatively to its coacting impression cylinder 18.

' Such angular adjustments can be effected at any time notwithstanding the fact that the eccentric 78 is in its locking position and it will be understood that sufficient clearance is provided between the pinions 83-90 and the frame, as well as between the set screw '79 and the walls of the groove in the periphery of the eccentric to permit such adjustments within practical limits.

It is also possible to adjust the plate cylinder 21] in an axial direction. This is accomplished by means of the shaft 94 having the handwheel 95 and which is threaded in the disc 96 secured to the side frame 13. The inner projecting end of shaft 94 is provided with the bearingmounted cap 97 and said cap is releasably secured to the reduced end of the plate cylinder by the clamp 98. When the wheel is rotated the shaft 94 is moved axially and this motion is transmitted to the plate cylinder for obtaining precise registration during printing.

It will be understood that the disc 95 is mounted on the frame 13 by means of bolts 99 which prevent the disc from moving axially when adjustments are imparted to the plate cylinder. However, each bolt is inserted through a horizontal slot in the disc which permits the disc and shaft 94 to shift laterally when angular adjustments are imparted to the plate cylinder.

The opposite reduced end 68 of the plate cylinder is releasably connected to drive means for rotating the cylinder. The said drive means includes the drive shaft ltll} journalled at 101 in ball bearings retained by the gear box 102 which is part of the side frame 13. Power from shaft 103 is transmitted through the wofm 104 and gear 105 to the drive shaft 1%. A releasable connection between the drive shaft 106 and the plate cylinder 21 is provided by the universal joint 106 which is a part of the shaft 1% and is secured to the reduced end il of the drive cylinder by the clamp 107. The universal joint 1% is preferably of the flexible disc type which permits both angular and axial adjustments of the plate cylinder without affecting the main drive.

The doctor blade structure for the plate cylinder 21 is indicated at 108 in FIGURES 3 and 4 and is arranged to be mounted on the journal housings 65 and 66, so as to become, in effect, an integral part of the cylinder assembly. The frames 109 at each end of the structure are accurately located by means of keys 199a provided on the respective housings and they are secured in position by the bolts 111). The doctor blade assembly may be substantially of the conventional type having a blade 111 which is fixed to members 112 that are rotatable on the axis 113 to thereby vary the angle of the blade relative to the plate cylinder. The members 112 in turn are carried by the levers 114 which are rotatably mounted by the shaft 115 to enable the blade to be displaced to accommodate plate cylinders of different diameters.

The important factor to be noted, however, is that the doctor blade asembly is mounted as an integral part of the cylinder assembly and thus is removable therewith when a printing assembly is changed. Moreover, it will move bodily with the journal housing 66 when angular adjustments are imparted to the plate cylinder so that the setting of the blade relative to the plate cylinder will not be disturbed.

The ink for printing is supplied to the plate cylinder by an applicator 116 which is supported on brackets provided on the ink pan 33 and which applicator extends for the length of the plate cylinder. Ink is supplied to the applicator by the conduit 117 which extends to the ink reservoir 37. The ink is pumped through the conduit by a pump, not shown, which is driven by the pulley wheel 118. The drive motor 120 for the pump is carried by the frame 13 and thus it is necessary to disconnect the endless belt 121 before the cart can be wheeled away and to make operative connection with the motor 120 after the plate cylinder has been installed in the press frame. To facilitate the connecting and disconnecting of the endless belt 121, the drive motor 126 is supported on a platform 122, FIGURE 5, having a pivot mounting at 123 and being provided with a rear projecting stud 124. The eccentric 125 has contact with the projecting stud and said eccentric is rotatable by means of the handle'126. Rotation of the eccentric in one direction will permit movement of the stud in a direction to loosen the belt 121 and in the opposite direction the belt can be tightened. When the belt has been tightened, the pivot shaft for the eccentric, which is gripped by, the split clamp 127, can be locked in place by rotation of the hand lever 128.

With further reference to-the doctor blade structure, it is to be understood that, in addition to its adjustability, the doctor blade is arranged to be reciprocated in a plane parallel to the axis of the plate cylinder when the press is in operation. Although the drive means for efiecting such reciprocation of the blade has not been shown, it is similar to the means for driving the ink pump and includes similar members for effecting quick release and connection of the drive belt.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that all of the elements that make up the printing assembly for each unit of a multi-unit rotogravure printing press such as the plate cylinder and its journal housings, the doctor blade structure, the ink applicator, the ink pan and the ink reservoir, are all supported on a movable cart by means of which the entire assembly can be quickly transported to and from an operative position in its respective unit.

The wheeling carts of the invention can be readily and conveniently located under the inwardly projecting shoulders 22 and 23 of a printing unit and since each cart supports a plate cylinder journalled by the housing 65 and as the said housings can be releasably attached to and released from the said shoulders of the press frame. The supporting plates 53 and 63 are lowered after the housings are attached and said housings are thus suspended from the shoulders with the dowel pins 67 maintaining the parts in associated relation. After the slide plates are locked by the locking eccentrics 78 the plate cylinder is connected to the drive means at one end and to the cap 97 at the other end. After the printing operation has been completed the plate cylinders of the several printing units are released and removed by means of the Wheeling carts and other carts with plate cylinders and inking mechanisms for the next printing operation are wheeled into place and the steps of attaching the several parts to the frame of the units are repeated.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

V/hat is claimed is:

1. In a printing press having spaced side frame members and a plate cylinder with journals at each end thereof, tie provision of means for releasably mounting said cylinder in an operative position between said frame members comprising an inwardly projecting shoulder on each frame member, a guideway formed in the bot-tom face of each shoulder, a journal housing mounted on the journal at each end of the plate cylinder, a doctor blade assembly adapted to have coaction with the plate cylinder, means mounting the doctor blade assembly to the journal housings as an integral part thereof, a slide plate secured to the top surface of each journal housing and adapted to be received in the guideways of the respective shoulders, a portable member for supporting the journal housings during removal and insertion of the slide plates relative to the guideways, a stop member in each guideway for locating the respective slide plates in a predetermined position upon insertion into the guideways, and means for adjusting one of said stop members and therewith the associated journal housings to thereby vary the angular position of the plate cylinder and the coacting doctor blade assembly as a unit.

2. In a printing press, the combination with a printing unit having spaced side frame members and a plate cylinder, of inwardly projecting shoulders provided by the frame members, respectively, a journal housing at each end of the plate cylinder in journalling relation with its end, a slide plate secured to each journal housing, each of the inwardly projecting shoulders providing a guideway of complementary shape for receiving a slide plate, whereby the housings can be releasably secured to the shoulders for supporting the plate cylinder from the spaced frame members of the printing unit, locking means provided by each shoulder for locking engagement with a slide plate when located within the guideway, each said locking means including a shaft journalled by an inwardly projecting shoulder, an eccentric on said shaft, said eccentric being adapted to have engaging relation with a slide plate when the plate is located in the guideway of its shoulder, said slide plate having a transverse groove therein for receiving the eccentric, a sleeve in telescoping relation with one end of the shaft and having threaded relation with said shoulder, said sleeve having 8 such connection with the shaft that rotation of the sleeve will adjust the shaft in an axial direction and will effect adjustment of the plate cylinder in an angular direction by reason of the engaging relation which the eccentric has with the groove in the slide plate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,089,147 3/1914 Neidich 101-243 2,064,168 12/1936 Kaddeland 101153 X 2,223,628 12/1940 Landis 10123 2,581,593 1/1952 Luttenauer 101-216 2,727,272 12/1955 Hankin et al. 248-225 2,730,946 1/1956 Du Bois et a1. 101-216 2,746,386 5/1956 Bamford 101247 X 2,778,302 1/1957 Reinartz 101216 2,988,989 6/1961 Crawford 101181 X 3,039,387 6/1962 Zimrner et a1. 101-216 3,094,066 6/1963 Kendrick 101-216 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Examiner. 

1. IN A PRINTING PRESS HAVING SPACED SIDE FRAME MEMBERS AND A PLATE CYLINDER WITH JOURNALS AT EACH END THEREOF, THE PROVISION OF MEANS FOR RELEASABLY MOUNTING SAID CYLINDER IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION BETWEEN SAID FRAME MEMBERS COMPRISING AN INWARDLY PROJECTING SHOULDER ON EACH FRAME MEMBER, A GUIDEWAY FORMED IN THE BOTTOM FACE OF EACH SHOULDER, A JOURNAL HOUSING MOUNTED ON THE JOURNAL AT EACH END OF THE PLATE CYLINDER, A DOCTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO HAVE COACTION WITH THE PLATE CYLINDER, MEANS MOUNTING THE DOCTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY TO THE JOURNAL HOUSING AS AN INTEGRAL PART THEREOF, A SLIDE PLATE SECURED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF EACH JOURNAL HOUSING AND ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN THE GUIDEWAYS OF THE RESPECTIVE SHOULDERS, A PORTABLE MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING THE JOURNAL HOUSING DURING REMOVAL AND INSERTION OF THE SLIDE PLATES RELATIVE TO THE GUIDEWAYS, A STOP MEMBER IN EACH GUIDEWAY FOR LOCATING THE RESPECTIVE SLIDE PLATES IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION UPON INSERTION INTO THE GUIDEWAYS, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING ONE OF SAID STOP MEMBERS AND THEREWITH THE ASSOCIATED JOURNAL HOUSINGS TO THEREBY VARY THE ANGULAR POSITION OF THE PLATE CYLINDER AND THE COACTING DOCTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY AS A UNIT. 